Frontenacs Drop Two Then Win One Against Division Rivals

Pictured in Frontenacs' rookie Spencer Watson whoscored the shootout winner against the 67s on Monday.

Kingston finally had a chance to play their closestrivals in the East Division this weekend. First up was the 3-8-0-1 Ottawa 67s. Ottawa's 3 wins have come against Erie, Niagara and Kitchener. They are0-3 in their own division, having lost close games to Peterborough, Belleville,and most recently, to Oshawa, in a shootout. Keegan Wilson has carried the load for the 67's and got the start onFriday night at K-Rock, as well.

The Frontenacs have been a streaky team this year,winning their first 3, losing their next 3, winning their last 3. They were hoping to put an end to theirlosing streak on Friday night when they sent rookie, Colin Furlong to thecrease.

Kingston came out flying in their pink laces, onPink the Rink night, in support of Breast Cancer awareness. Before the game was23 minutes old, the Frontenacs had a 3-0 lead over the 67's, and seemed incomplete control of the game. Forwards Jean Dupuy and Mitchell Fitzmorrisscored their first OHL goals in this stretch. Dupuy opened the scoring with a nice wrist shot over Ottawa's starter,Keegan Wilson's shoulder. Billy Jenkinsscored his 5th of the season, shorthanded, as he banged in a rebound of a RyanKujawinski shot. Goalie, Colin Furlongcleared it up the wing to Kujawinski, who broke in, two on one with Jenkins,who made no mistake. Colin Furlong made some spectacular saves in the firstperiod, most notably on Dante Sanituro mid way through the period, and on CodyCeci, near the end of the frame. Kingston lead 2-0 after 1.

Fitzmorris scored 2 minutes into the second on afeed from Jean Dupuy. Kingston's"so called" 4th line had struck again, to give the Fronts a 3-0 lead,and chase Keegan Wilson from the 67s net. Jacob Blair entered the game. Meanwhile, Colin Furlong continued toshine, stopping 67s rookie, Peter Mraz on a clear breakaway.

The turning point of the game happened just past the6 minute mark of the period. Withdefenseman, Roland McKeown in the box, Michael Moffat charged a 67s powerplayer,taking a 5 minute major, and a game misconduct. Ottawa would score twice on theensuing powerplay, to bring the 67s back to within one, at 3-2.

The 67s would go on to score 5 straight goals on a,clearly rattled, Frontenac team.

Not giving up, rookie, Spencer Watson broughtKingston fans to their feet a couple of times early in the third. First he deflected a perfect, Roland McKeown,point shot past Blair, to bring the Fronts to within 1, at 5-4. Sean Monahan completed his 4 point night, bybeating Furlong, less than a minute later. Watson broke through the Ottawa defense moments later, was hauled down,and awarded a penalty shot at 9:29 of the third. Watson made no mistake and beat Blaircleanly, to bring the Fronts' to within 1 again, with a half a period toplay. Henri Ikonen tied the game at 6,five minutes later, converting a rocket, cross ice pass, from Watson. Unfortunatelyfor the Fronts, the OHL leading goal scorer, Tyler Graovac, struck twice, thelast into an empty net, to make the final score 8-6 for the 67's.

The crowd of 3022 were thoroughly entertained inthis one. However, this is the type ofgame that drives coaches crazy. Bothteams gave up way too many quality scoring chances, and odd man rushes.Kingston allowed two powerplay goals on three Ottawa chances, a stat that hasto improve, if they hope to compete in the East.

Kingston traveled down the 401 to Belleville to takeon the Bulls for the first time this season. Malcolm Subban and Mike Morrisontended the creases for their respective teams, and earned first and second starhonours in a 1-0 Belleville win.

Despite the score, the game was anything butboring. Both goalies were sharp rightfrom the beginning of the game, and the game remained scoreless until the 16:29mark of the 1st period, when Bulls' veteran, Austen Brassard, broke free fromthe side boards, glided into the slot, and fired an NHL calibre wrist shot overthe left shoulder of goaltender, Morrison.

The two teams played a relatively penalty free gamewith only one fight. Near the end of the second period, Fronts' rookie SlaterDoggett, knocked down a Bulls' forward and veteran, Adam Bignell responded bytaking on Doggett.

Spencer Watson, and Sam Bennett had strong games,once again using their great speed to their advantage on the wide ice surfaceat Yardman Arena. The Fronts were unableto penetrate the centre of the ice to get quality shots on Subban, however, andthat was the story of the night. Morrison kept the Fronts close, as he made upfor the much fewer defensive zone lapses by Kingston tonight.

Despite the better defensive effort, the Frontscouldn't solve Malcolm Subban and fell 1-0 in Game 1 of 8 in the season series,with the Bulls.

Next up for Kingston was the annual school kid'sgame on Monday morning, at ScotiaBank Place in Kanata, against the 67s.

Kingston drove to Ottawa with revenge on theirminds. They were not about to give up 8 goals to the 67s again. On November 7of last year, the Frontenacs beat the 67s in the school kid's game, 7-4 at theCivic Centre. The stars for the Frontsin that game are no longer with the team. In fact their were only 5 players intoday's lineup for Kingston, who played for them in that game. Ryan Spooner wasnamed the game's first star, and recently traded, Nathan Cull, was the thirdstar, with primary assists on the last 3 goals of the game, to break the 4-4tie.

Taylor Fielding opened the scoring in this one, justpast the 3 minute mark - and prior to 11 AM, with his 6th of the season. Just over a minute later, Kingston's HenriIkonen would tie it on a wrist shot, set up by Sam Bennett. The first period ended with the two teamstied at 1.

Ottawa would take the lead early in the second,obviously fired up by the 11000+, mostly school kids. Defenseman, Taylor Daviswould score his second of the season, and second against Kingston, at the 22second mark. The Fronts would tie it on a goal by rookie defenseman, RolandMcKeown, mid way through the second period.

The game would remain tied throughout the third andovertime periods, despite the fact that Kingston took the play to the 67s forlarge parts of the second half of the game.

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